Loyalty
"Dad replied, real comfort in his voice for the first time in many days, for it was good to imagine Davy appearing on the doorstep of those who loved him." (136): The quote demonstrates how loyal the Lands are to the oldest son Davy. Even though Davy murdered two boys, they still would accept him back as an ordinary citizen. It seems that the Lands are not the only people who are loyal to Davy. August and Birdie have shown that they are willing to support Davy in these times.
"I couldn't just look at him and lie, so I shrugged, assuming the guilty appearance of the habitual eavesdropper." (137): Reuben is showing that he is loyal to his father; he will not lie to the man. Reuben could have lied about eavesdropping on a conversation, but he instead gave his father the truth. A good relationship involves honesty, which is present in the relationship between Reuben and his father. Reuben has shown loyalty through honesty, something which his brother did not show.
"Mr. Andreeson, you and I will not speak again."(125): This showed that Jeremiah did not like like federal agents because of their snooping into personal matters. But in loyalty matters, Jeremiah was not going to tell any law enforcer if his sons location. By telling about Davy's location he would be a traitor to his family and friends. Now if that is not true loyalty you can not make an argument about any loyalty.
Andreeson said, "Mr. Land, you and I don't have to be enemies." Then Jeremiah said, "Mr. Andreeson" "It appears that we do." (160): This quote has a lot to do wit the last quote. That is because it is again between Jeremiah Land and Mr. Andreeson and about the issue of telling federal agents about Davy's location. That conversation teetered on the edge of loyalty in the case of Davy and betrayal in the case of August and Birdie. And in the end it turned out to not reveal any useful information to law enforcers.
"Old friend Speedy came by last night. I wondered if he would, and By Goodness he did. Weaselly skinny but strong, sends regards, we were glad to have him, Birdie had Kielbasa, it went fast! Aug and Birdie. P.S Best to your friend Andreeson." (129): The quote is showing that August and Birdie wanted to help the Lands any way they could. That way manifested itself as a visit from Davy. Also you can glean from the letter that Mr. Andreeson came by and, showing loyalty to Davy, learned nothing. A quote demonstrating loyalty to two people at once. Discussion questions
What do you think loyalty means to each of the characters in the novel?I believe that loyalty is the strongest connection between characters, The lands especially rely heavily on the loyalty they show to each other. The Lands are not wealthy so they rely on each other to survive each day. The Lands are mostly loyal to their community. However, after Davy's escape, the lands have left their neighborhood on mission to find Davy.
Do you think that Reuben is more loyal to Swede, Mr. Land, or Davy?I think that Reuben is most loyal to Jeremiah, because, Without Jeremiah Ruben would not be living today. Also, Reuben must be loyal to Jeremiah as Jeremiah is Reuben's father. Jeremiah is a man of a faith and shows loyalty to those close to him; likewise, this is the same way that Reuben acts. Loyalty is important to everyone in the Land family, but Reuben shows this the most toward Jeremiah. How did Mr. Land show his loyalty, and what do you think this shows about his character (besides the fact that he is loyal)? Mr. Land shows his loyalty to his family in various ways. When Andreeson wanted Jeremiah to help find Davy, he went with him so nothing would happen to his family. Contrary to the perceived belief of his children, Jeremiah did not leave to help the law find Davy, but rather remained loyal to his eldest son. One overlooked loyalty is Jeremiah's loyalty to his faith and to God. No matter what, Jeremiah kept his faith and did not falter in his prayer and belief.
"Dad replied, real comfort in his voice for the first time in many days, for it was good to imagine Davy appearing on the doorstep of those who loved him." (136): The quote demonstrates how loyal the Lands are to the oldest son Davy. Even though Davy murdered two boys, they still would accept him back as an ordinary citizen. It seems that the Lands are not the only people who are loyal to Davy. August and Birdie have shown that they are willing to support Davy in these times.
"I couldn't just look at him and lie, so I shrugged, assuming the guilty appearance of the habitual eavesdropper." (137): Reuben is showing that he is loyal to his father; he will not lie to the man. Reuben could have lied about eavesdropping on a conversation, but he instead gave his father the truth. A good relationship involves honesty, which is present in the relationship between Reuben and his father. Reuben has shown loyalty through honesty, something which his brother did not show.
"Mr. Andreeson, you and I will not speak again."(125): This showed that Jeremiah did not like like federal agents because of their snooping into personal matters. But in loyalty matters, Jeremiah was not going to tell any law enforcer if his sons location. By telling about Davy's location he would be a traitor to his family and friends. Now if that is not true loyalty you can not make an argument about any loyalty.
Andreeson said, "Mr. Land, you and I don't have to be enemies." Then Jeremiah said, "Mr. Andreeson" "It appears that we do." (160): This quote has a lot to do wit the last quote. That is because it is again between Jeremiah Land and Mr. Andreeson and about the issue of telling federal agents about Davy's location. That conversation teetered on the edge of loyalty in the case of Davy and betrayal in the case of August and Birdie. And in the end it turned out to not reveal any useful information to law enforcers.
"Old friend Speedy came by last night. I wondered if he would, and By Goodness he did. Weaselly skinny but strong, sends regards, we were glad to have him, Birdie had Kielbasa, it went fast! Aug and Birdie. P.S Best to your friend Andreeson." (129): The quote is showing that August and Birdie wanted to help the Lands any way they could. That way manifested itself as a visit from Davy. Also you can glean from the letter that Mr. Andreeson came by and, showing loyalty to Davy, learned nothing. A quote demonstrating loyalty to two people at once.
What do you think loyalty means to each of the characters in the novel?I believe that loyalty is the strongest connection between characters, The lands especially rely heavily on the loyalty they show to each other. The Lands are not wealthy so they rely on each other to survive each day. The Lands are mostly loyal to their community. However, after Davy's escape, the lands have left their neighborhood on mission to find Davy.
Do you think that Reuben is more loyal to Swede, Mr. Land, or Davy?I think that Reuben is most loyal to Jeremiah, because, Without Jeremiah Ruben would not be living today. Also, Reuben must be loyal to Jeremiah as Jeremiah is Reuben's father. Jeremiah is a man of a faith and shows loyalty to those close to him; likewise, this is the same way that Reuben acts. Loyalty is important to everyone in the Land family, but Reuben shows this the most toward Jeremiah.
How did Mr. Land show his loyalty, and what do you think this shows about his character (besides the fact that he is loyal)?
Mr. Land shows his loyalty to his family in various ways. When Andreeson wanted Jeremiah to help find Davy, he went with him so nothing would happen to his family. Contrary to the perceived belief of his children, Jeremiah did not leave to help the law find Davy, but rather remained loyal to his eldest son. One overlooked loyalty is Jeremiah's loyalty to his faith and to God. No matter what, Jeremiah kept his faith and did not falter in his prayer and belief.